Efficacy of some biodegradable films as pre-harvest covering material for guava

To produce guavas with good commercial or industrial potential, fruit farmers use phytosanitary practices such as fruit bagging. Bagging protects the fruit mainly from the attack of pests, such as the fruit fly (Anastrepha spp.) and the guava weevil (Conotrachelus psidii), and reduces the use of insecticides and fungicides. This investigation aimed to develop and produce biodegradable films from cassava starch and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) by extrusion for application in pre-harvest guava fruit bagging. After the fruit harvest, for 6-9 weeks all films were more fragile and rigid, but did not present cracks. BF70 was the most fragile and had the greatest tendency to tear; however, it remained whole until harvesting. Fruit bagged with films BF30, BF50, BF70 was analyzed for fruit quality and compared with PSF control and non-bagged fruit. There was no difference between the treatments relative to physical and chemical characteristics, indicating that biodegradable film did not influence fruit development when compared to the PSF control. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.